Reviews

Driving Impression

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Nothing about the Suburban suggests sportiness or agile moves, but the truck-like ride is smooth and composed.

Steering is somewhat soft, partially masking the Suburban’s heft, though control is direct. On curvy roads and off the pavement, the mammoth Suburban struggles to match the nimbleness of some competitors that employ independent suspensions.

Despite weights that approach 6,000 pounds, performance from the burly, potent 5.3-liter V-8 is a strong point. GM’s mighty, 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8, included in the RST Performance Package and Premier Plus Special Edition group, injects additional muscle. A 10-speed automatic helps extract as much strength as possible from the biggest V-8.

Opting for the RST package brings 22-inch wheels and a magnetic suspension, similar to that on the GMC Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade.

With four-wheel drive, a Suburban is rated to tow as much as 8,200 pounds. An exceptionally long wheelbase and overall heft places limits on Suburban maneuverability off-road, especially when the trails narrow. The Z71 package adds some beefier components and appropriate tires.

Thanks to the ability to run on half its engine cylinders the Suburban isn’t quite as thirsty as its dimensions suggest. Rear-wheel-drive models are EPA-rated at 15/22 mpg City/Highway, or 18 mpg Combined. Four-wheel drive drops those figures to 14/21/16 mpg. E85 ethanol-enhanced fuel drops the estimate to 11/16/12 mpg with four-wheel drive.

Walk Around

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Massive on the outside, Chevrolet’s Suburban immodestly advertises its clean-cut styling. Though still crisply handsome, the boxy, inevitably truck-like Suburban body is due for a serious update or redesign.

Suburbans haven’t always been known for visual flair, but the current version stands out more than its predecessors. Up front, a heavily-chromed grille sits between oddly-shaped headlights, helping to created more curb appeal than some practical-minded SUVs.

Interior Overview

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On the symmetrical dashboard, controls sit neatly below an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Cloth upholstery and a three-position front bench seat are standard in LS trim, for nine-passenger capacity. A center rider on that bench might complain about leg space, but other occupants should be able to stretch their legs.

Most Suburbans have front bucket seats separate by a wide console, with heated and cooled leather seats an option. Second-row seating may be a three-place bench or twin captain’s chairs. Soft-touch surfaces with stitching grace the cabin.

Reaching the third row isn’t too difficult. Both rows of rear seats fold flat, expanding cargo volume to 121.7 cubic feet. With second-row seats upright, cargo space dips to 77 cubic feet. With all seatbacks up, space behind the third row approaches 40 cubic feet. Although the cargo floor is flat and wide, it’s somewhat high, making loading more challenging than it should be.

Summary

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Simply huge, both inside and out, the truck-based Suburban with its big, old-school V-8 is a costly acquisition for families, but it’s a first-rate highway cruiser. No crossover comes close to matching its nine-passenger space and towing prowess. Amply equipped in each trim level, it can be augmented by a selection of luxury-level options. Fully loaded, a Suburban can top $80,000, which approaches Cadillac Escalade territory.

Driving impressions by The Car Connection. James M. Flammang contributed to this report.